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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Midlife is notoriously known as a time of crisis. But today’s post-35 women are feeling optimistic about the future, making positive changes for themselves and the world around them. Women’s health expert Dr. Judith Reichman tells how to join the many women who are seizing the midlife moment and making new choices related to their health.
A new, national survey of women between the ages of 35 and 49, sponsored in partnership by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) and Teva Women’s Health, Inc., shows that more than three-quarters of women in midlife say the best years are ahead, not behind. Moreover, the midlife woman views this life stage as a time to reinvent herself – to do all the things she never had time for – to take care of herself both inside and out, go green, enjoy the freedom of intimacy with her partner. And surprisingly, to make sure she doesn’t get pregnant. It is a little-known fact that the second-highest rates of unplanned pregnancies next to teens occur in women over 40.
The Bedroom is for More than Sleeping
Seizing the “midlife moment” for women in these middle years includes having sex – 65% are interested in keeping up a healthy sex life. That’s good news! But, many women have stopped using contraception entirely by age 35, according to the survey, leaving themselves vulnerable to an unplanned pregnancy.
While most women have taken The Pill in the past, just 24% of women between 35 and 49 are still on it. The new survey indicated that many of the women stopped because they didn’t like being on a hormonal contraceptive pill. The majority of women surveyed feel they live a healthier lifestyle without taking birth control pills. Most are looking for a reliable birth control method, and prefer options that are both hormone-free and long-term, such as the intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) ParaGard. More and more women are looking for a “greener” birth control method, and expressing concern for the impact of hormones on the environment.
Going “Greener”
At midlife, women often place greater importance on how their actions impact the environment compared to when they were younger, and are going green at home and at the store. In fact, 60% of women recycle more now, and more than half use green bags or buy more “green” or eco-friendly products.
Making Healthier Choices
Shifting attitudes about improving their health are common in women over 35. Many are taking steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The new survey showed that more than three quarters of women in this age group are now more conscious of what they put into their bodies. Most are paying closer attention to food ingredients, eating more fruits and vegetables and taking vitamins more regularly. Uninterrupted and adequate sleep now becomes possible as they no longer party until the wee hours, wake up for 2 AM feedings or wait up for the teen to come home…so finally almost half the women report that they are getting enough sleep!
Get the Most out of Midlife
If you have not already joined the ranks of women enjoying midlife, here are 10 ways to get the most out of these years:
1. Don’t obsess about those 8 glasses of water each day, drink when you are thirsty and/or when you are exercising vigorously…Too much water reduces the impact of electrolytes and strains the bladder.
2. Focus on family bonding…Often midlife crises for women are not an age phenomenon but rather due to the very significant changes that occur in the lives of our growing-up children and our maturing (we hope) partners.
3. Spend more time with your partner. Don’t wait until the nest is already empty. This is the time to rediscover why you fell in love in the first place.
4. Rev up the love life…with children sleeping through the night – or perhaps even moving out – the midlife woman and her spouse should enjoy a renewed sex life – whenever. Remember you are now also free to go on dates with your partner….real dates!
5. Periodically reevaluate your choice of contraception…the second-highest rates of unplanned pregnancies occur in midlife! This is not the time to find yourself accidentally in a family way unless that is what you intended.
6. Worry more about you…PMS gets worse with age, and work and family responsibilities continue to rise, so it is important to establish de-stressing routines, including setting aside time to exercise and visit with friends.
7. Cut down on salt, reduce your caloric intact by 100 – 200 calories per day and boost your calcium and Vitamin D intact…By midlife, most of us are high-risk for hypertension and heart disease, and cutting salt can save your life and set up your family for healthy habits as they get older.
8. Embrace your desire to sleep…Now is the time to develop good sleep habits to prepare you for the next stage of life as hormonal changes during menopause increase sleep disturbances.
9. Do something you thought you would never have time for – take up a new hobby or go back to something you love – knitting, dancing, learning, volunteering – all that matters is that it makes you feel good about yourself.
10. See your doctor. You have always made sure everyone else in the family gets a yearly check-up – but what about you? Schedule those yearly health screenings and don’t neglect your own health.
Judith Reichman, MD: Attending physician in gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Author of bestselling books on women’s health, including Slow Your Clock Down: The Complete Guide to a Healthy, Younger You, and former medical contributor for NBC’s The Today Show.
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